1. EF - Corsi di inglese all'estero
The gist. This school is first on our list. It has offered in-person Italian courses in Rome since 1965.
What sets it apart. They run all their schools themselves. They also use their own textbooks to help you move up one level every six weeks. You will study grammar and speaking, and you will also learn about Italian culture, history, and news.
Best for. Students of any age who want to learn in Rome and live the Italian lifestyle.
I loved making pasta and tiramisu in cooking class. The teachers focused on real speaking instead of just grammar books. The school building is very cosy and traditional. My host family was so welcoming that I felt right at home. The staff helped me quickly when I found out my host family had a cat. I am allergic to cats, so I suggest asking about pets before you arrive.
2. inlingua Roma EUR
The gist. Second on our list is this Rome branch of the global inlingua network. They have taught Italian and 25 other languages since 1968.
What sets it apart. The school uses a special teaching style called the Direct Method. This method gets you speaking right away, and they also have an online tool called my.lab. You can mix live classes with online practice. You can study at their two Rome schools or learn from home.
Best for. People who want flexible online classes to talk with family or get ready for a trip.
The native teachers include everyone in the lessons. The online tool makes it easy to build my vocabulary and feel confident when I speak. My partner and I wanted to learn online. This course was perfect for studying together at home. The lessons are fun and natural, so the words really stick. Now I can finally talk with my relatives in Italy.
3. International language school
The gist. Third on our list is this Rome school, which is approved by the Italian Ministry of Education. They teach Italian to foreigners and offer other languages too.
What sets it apart. The school uses its own teaching style called the Symbiosis method. They also host weekly social hours with drinks and snacks on Wednesdays. The school is an official exam center and helps students find jobs abroad.
Best for. Students who need flexible hours, help preparing for official exams, or a friendly community in Rome.
The teachers are very skilled. They change the lessons to fit your personal level. The staff and teachers did everything they could to support me. The school felt like a warm family.
4. Centro Linguistico Moose
The gist. Fourth on our list is this school. It started in 1994 and offers flexible Italian courses along with other languages.
What sets it apart. They use a simple method called Learn, Repeat, Practise and Use with Ease to help you speak naturally. You can take classes online, at the school, or in your own home.
Best for. Busy people who need flexible hours and want to start classes at any time of the year.
The school is very organised. They always reply to messages quickly, so I felt supported from day one. My teacher was patient and friendly, which made me feel relaxed. The flexible hours fit perfectly around my job. I started as a total beginner. I quickly gained the confidence to speak and work in a new language.
5. inlingua Roma Centro
The gist. Fifth on our list is this school, which has taught languages in Rome since 1968. They teach Italian and other languages using their own speaking method.
What sets it apart. They use a Direct Method that gets you speaking on day one. You also get to use their online learning tool. Classes are small, with no more than six students.
Best for. Students who want to build real speaking skills quickly through small groups or private lessons.
The staff welcomed me warmly. My tutor used constant conversation to help me build my grammar and confidence. The teachers are native speakers. They are very prepared, friendly, and make you feel comfortable from day one. I took a long written test for a job assessment, but I did not get any feedback or corrections afterward.
6. Accademia StudioItalia language school
The gist. Sixth on our list is this small school in Rome's Prati neighborhood. They have taught deep, immersive Italian since 1985.
What sets it apart. The school is an official exam center for CILS and DITALS language certificates, and they even use an app called Parolingo to help you learn. You can choose fast morning classes or evening classes twice a week.
Best for. Serious adult students who want to study for official exams or learn Italian while working.
I loved having grammar classes in the morning and speaking practice in the afternoon. This mix helped me speak much more clearly. The teachers are very passionate and supportive. They even gave me extra homework to help me prepare for my citizenship exam. The lessons are fast and fun. I made great friends from all over the world.
7. Darby School of Languages
The gist. Seventh on our list is this school, which started in 1997 and teaches Italian and other languages in Rome.
What sets it apart. The Italian Ministry of Education approves this school, and they use a certified training system. You can study in person, online, or mix both with classes that focus on speaking and grammar.
Best for. Students of all levels who want an approved program with flexible online and in-person options.
My children have studied here for years with great results. The teachers are always professional and kind. The front desk staff are very helpful, and the school feels friendly and welcoming. The bosses were not very honest with me about a teaching job. They did not contact me again after saying the job was mine.
8. Dilit International House
The gist. Eighth on our list is this school, which started in 1974 and has official approval from the Italian Ministry of Education to teach Italian in Rome.
What sets it apart. The school uses its own active teaching style and its own textbooks. You can combine your language lessons with local culture like cooking, opera, or law, and they even have a cafe inside the school.
Best for. Students of all ages who want fast daytime classes or cultural programs in a social setting.
The teachers are very patient. The school has a warm atmosphere where it is easy to make friends. I loved the location near the train station. The cafe inside the school serves delicious food. The lessons rely on listening to the same audio tracks over and over. There is not much grammar, which can feel frustrating if you prefer books.
9. Scuola di Italiano per Stranieri di Roma Società Dante Alighieri
The gist. Ninth on our list is this historic school, which started in 1889 and runs high-quality Italian language and culture programs in the center of Rome.
What sets it apart. This is the official group that makes the PLIDA language exam, and they use their own special teaching method. You can also take unique courses that mix language study with art, music, or teacher training.
Best for. Serious students who want to pass official exams or study Italian culture and school subjects.
The teachers are very dedicated. The office staff made everything run smoothly without any stress. Studying here helped me dive deep into the language. I loved exploring the historic streets right outside the classroom.
Scuola di Italiano per Stranieri di Roma Società Dante Alighieri
4.5 · 148 reviews · 6 courses · since 1889
10. Trinity School
The gist. Last on our list is a professional language school in Rome. They teach Italian and several other world languages.
What sets it apart. This school is ISO certified, which means it meets high international standards. They offer special programs for students with learning disabilities, and they also let you study in person or online.
Best for. Students who want a structured, certified school with flexible options and support for learning disabilities.
The teachers are very professional. They really pay attention to what you need to succeed. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. I felt comfortable and confident from my very first day. The staff are very friendly. They worked hard to match me with the perfect teacher.
How HearSay works with language schools
A good class teaches you a lot. The hard part is finding time to practice speaking before your next class. That is where HearSay helps.
- We build your course around your school lessons. This means you practice what you actually learned in class, not random extra things.
- You can practice speaking hands-free on the go. Use it on your commute or while you cook.
- Short daily sessions fit easily into the gaps between your classes.
Are you a language teacher? Join our teacher community.
Do you run a language school? Learn how to partner with us.
If you cannot move to Italy yet, you can still build your speaking confidence today. Start with HearSay to get personal audio lessons sent straight to your WhatsApp.